Athens man sentenced to 20 years on drug charges

Henderson County District Attorney’s Office press release

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Frank Clinton James, Jr., a 25-year-old resident of Athens, was sentenced to 20 years confinement in prison. James was sentenced by Judge Dan Moore of the 173rd Judicial District after pleading guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Assistant District Attorneys Justin Weiner and Nancy Rumar prosecuted the case on behalf of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office.

James was arrested after he was pulled over by a Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy on Highway 31 for operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment. Contact was made with James who did not have his driver’s license. When asked to step out of his vehicle, he attempted to conceal a cap to a hypodermic needle that he had in his hand. Though he attempted to mislead the deputy he was unsuccessful. Ultimately, James told the deputy that his “needle junkie” friend had borrowed his vehicle and it must have been from him.

After running James’ information the deputy discovered that he had been driving with a suspended license. James was placed under arrest. A search incident to arrest revealed a slew of paraphernalia and narcotics related items. The deputy located digital scales, six hypodermic needles, 36 clear plastic baggies, and various other items. A larger green bag was also located which contained just over 20 grams of a crystal substance later proven to be methamphetamine. James was also charged for a switchblade knife that had been concealed by being placed on the undercarriage of the vehicle.

“This is another example of good old fashion police work,” said District Attorney Scott McKee.